Public Safety & Homeland Security

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"“The Connecticut delegation did just send a letter to Director Saldaña about the fact that this is something she does not need Congress to act on – and frankly the fact that anybody who manages an agency or a department wasn’t aware of that kind of caseload disparity just screams out dysfunction when you look at those numbers,” said Courtney. “Frankly, I will just tell both of you that the testimony that you delivered here today, in the wake of the I.G.’s report, in my district where we saw the horrific consequences of a system that clearly didn’t do its job – it’s almost offensive to listen to it because it’s so divorced from the reality of what the IG found, and those consequences are being felt by this family to this day."

“There are no words which can adequately convey what a horrific and heartbreaking day this is for the United States of America. As the reporting from Dallas this morning has made clear, what occurred last night was an execution-style attack on Dallas police officers who were engaged in protecting freedom of speech and ensuring public safety – the highest form of public service."

"I am very pleased that this important piece of legislation which will help bring kidnapped children home has been signed into law by President Obama,” said Courtney. “My colleague, Rep. Erik Paulsen and I first introduced this bill in 2011, and we have remained strong advocates for it ever since. Missing children investigations are incredibly complex and challenging for law enforcement officials to solve, and we should be providing them with every conceivable tool that can help bring children home safely. We should not be leaving a single rock unturned when it comes to finding and returning missing children to their families."

“The outpouring of support from the public over the past 26-hours, praising the actions of House Democrats, demonstrates that the American people support what we are doing and stand firmly behind us,” said Courtney. “We have known for years that more than ninety-percent of Americans support common sense measures like a mandatory background check on all gun purchases. If you buy a gun at a Walmart, you receive a background check, but go online or walk into a gun show and all bets are off. Moreover, I cannot fathom what the rationale is for allowing people who are banned from flying on airplanes because they are suspected terrorists to continue buying firearms just like any other person."

“It is unconscionable that after 49 people were murdered last week in just the latest mass shooting that the only response by Speaker Paul Ryan and the majority party is a sixteen-second moment of silence,” said Courtney. “My Democratic colleagues and I will not be silent in the face of unrelenting gun violence on a daily basis. The Americans People are with us, with ninety-plus percent supporting the closing gun show and internet sales loophole. We will continue to demand up-or-down votes on common sense legislation until we get this done.”

“Congress’s inaction on protecting Americans and preventing gun violence is shameful, heartless, and irresponsible. The American people overwhelmingly support keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists and other dangerous individuals, yet the House has not held a single vote on gun violence prevention legislation."

"I am very pleased that this important piece of legislation which will help bring kidnapped children home received strong support from Congress and is now headed to the President’s desk,” said Courtney. “My colleague, Rep. Erik Paulsen and I first introduced this bill in 2011, and we have remained strong advocates for its passage since that time. Missing children investigations are incredibly complex and challenging for law enforcement officials to solve, and we should be providing them with every conceivable tool that can help bring children home safely."

“Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy from the state of Connecticut reminded us of the truth in that statement when for 15 hours he stood on the floor of the United States Senate and refused to yield until he got a commitment from the Republican Leadership of the Senate to hold a vote on a no-fly, no-buy piece of legislation to restrict people on the terror watch list from buying firearms, and also for a common sense background check reform which allow internet sales and gun shows sales to be included in the background check system which is supported by 53% of NRA households. ... It is time for us to listen to Chris Murphy, to follow his example, to thank him for his leadership, and persistence, and courage, and let’s do what the American People are looking for which is ways to protect us from these mass shootings which are far too many, and far too damaging to the people of this country.”

“This grant funding is good news for our local fire departments that can use these federal funds to purchase life-saving equipment for their firefighters,” said Courtney. “Our first-responder put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our homes and our communities, and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide them with the appropriate equipment to keep them safe.”

“Targeted federal grants like these Rural Development funds from the USDA go a long way toward helping small communities like Sprague make improvements for local residents,” said Courtney. “These two grants will help the town of Sprague save a significant amount of money on their annual energy bills, as well as provide safety and shelter to local residents during severe winter weather. Earlier this year, I held a seminar series for town leaders from across eastern Connecticut to help them learn more about how the Rural Development program works, and how to obtain this type of funding. Too often, rural communities do not have access to the credit required to launch long-term projects like upgrades to bridges, schools, or municipal complexes, and the loans and grants provided through Rural Development ensure our small towns do not get left behind. I want to thank First Selectwoman Osten for everything she does to support the people of Sprague, and her efforts in helping to obtain these grants today.”